Objective To investigate the effectiveness and technical points of shortened replantation combined with limb lengthening in the treatment of severe amputation of middle and distal lower leg. Methods Twelve cases of severe amputation of middle and distal lower leg were treated with shortened replantation at the 1st stage and limb lengthening at the 2nd stage between April 2009 and May 2016. There were 9 males and 3 females with an average age of 28 years (range, 16-32 years). The injury causes included traffic accident injury in 4 cases, heavy pound injury in 6 cases, and machine crush injury in 2 cases. The interval from injuries to treatment ranged from 30 minuts to 6 hours (mean, 3 hours and 12 minutes). All of 12 cases, 6 cases were completely amputated in the right middle and distal lower leg, 4 were not completely amputated in the left middle and distal lower leg, and 2 were ankle amputations. The limbs were 4.0-12.5 cm shorter than the contralateral sides, with an average of 7.3 cm. Limb lengthening was performed at 1.5-8.0 months after replantation and the time of extension was 1.7-5.3 months (mean, 3.1 months). Results All 12 patients recovered the same lengths of both lower extremities after shortened replantation and limb lengthening. The lengthened segments gained good bone mineralization, bony union was achieved at lengthened segments and broken end of fracture at 7-16 months (mean, 11.3 months). All patients were followed up 6 months to 5 years (mean, 2 years and 5 months). The range of motion of the knee joint were 0-5° (mean, 3°) in hyperextension and 110-140° (mean, 120°) in flexion. Except for 2 cases of ankle arthrodesis, plantar flexion angles were 15-45° (mean, 26°) and dorsiflexion angles were 10-25° (mean, 15°) in the other cases. The plantar sensation was restored to the S3+ level in 4 cases, S3 level in 6 cases, and S2 level in 2 cases. At last follow-up, the affected limb function were excellent in 7 cases, good in 3 cases, fair in 2 cases according to Kofoed functional evaluation criteria. Conclusion It expanded indications for replantation of lower limb amputation, reduced the operation difficulty and trauma with shortened replantation combined with limb lengthening in the treatment of severe amputation of middle and distal lower leg.
Objective To investigate the surgical characteristics and preliminary effectiveness of Orthofix unilateral external fixator in the treatment of musculoskeletal tumors. Methods Twenty-two patients received Orthofix unilateral external fixator treatment for bone defect after tumor excision or complications after limb salvage surgery between June 2011 and March 2016. There were 11 males and 11 females with a median age of 23.5 years (range, 4-57 years). The bone defect or limb length discrepancy after tumor resection was at proximal femur in 6 cases, distal femur in 8 cases, diaphysis of femur in 3 cases, proximal tibia in 2 cases, and diaphysis of tibia in 3 cases. The external fixation was used for temporary fixation after reconstruction of bone defect in 10 cases [the length of bone defect was 6-19 cm (mean, 12.3 cm); using vascularized fibular graft in 2 cases, allograft bone and free fibular graft in 2 cases, allograft bone and autogenous bone graft in 5 cases, allograft bone reconstruction in 1 case]; bone distraction lengthening for limb length discrepancy in 5 cases [the length of shortening was 6.5-8.5 cm (mean, 7.5 cm)]; temporary fixation after open biopsy in 3 cases; bone transportation over locking plate in 1 case (the length of bone defect was 7.5 cm); fixation for preoperatively pathology fracture in 1 case; and joint distraction for dislocation after tumor ablation in 2 cases. Results All the patients were followed up 12-72 months (mean, 36 months). In 10 patients with bone defect reconstruction, the wearing external fixator time was 3-8 months (mean, 4.8 months); all got bone union with the healing time of 3-16 months (mean, 6.4 months); the Musculoskeletal Tumor Society 93 (MSTS 93) score was 73.3-93.3 (mean, 87.2); and no complication occurred during wearing external fixator. In 5 patients with bone distraction lengthening for limb length discrepancy, the wearing external fixator time was 7-15 months; 2 patients had axial deviation during distraction and2 had greenstick fracture after apparatus removal; pin site infection was observed in 2 cases with grade 1 and 1 case with grade 2 according to Checketts-Otterburn classification system; the MSTS 93 score was 80.0-96.7 (mean, 89.2). The remaining patients had no complications, the knee and ankle joint movement was normal. Conclusion Orthofix unilateral external fixator can be used in fixation for complex bone defect after tumor resection and to correct limb length discrepancy after limb salvage surgery.
ObjectiveTo review the research progress of intramedullary lengthening nail technology.MethodsThe foreign literature on the development history, types, advantages and disadvantages, indications and contraindications, complications, and effectiveness of intramedullary lengthening nail were reviewed and analyzed.ResultsThe intramedullary lengthening nail system mainly includes mechanical type, electric motor drive type, and magnetic drive type. Compared with traditional external fixation and lengthening technology, the intramedullary lengthening nail technology has certain advantages in incidence of complications, bone healing, postoperative functional rehabilitation, incision aesthetics, convenience, and patient satisfaction. However, there are also shortcomings, such as pain, uncontrollable distraction rate, device failure, etc. In the clinical application of intramedullary lengthening nails for limb lengthening, the indications should be grasped reasonably, and the related complications should be prevented and treated.ConclusionIntramedullary lengthening nails provide a new option for limb lengthening, and the initial effectiveness is good. It is one of the development direction of limb lengthening technology.
ObjectiveTo investigate the surgical method and preliminary effectiveness of Ilizarov technique in the treatment of lower limb deformity caused by achondroplasia. MethodsThe clinical data of 38 patients with lower limb deformity caused by achondroplasia treated by Ilizarov technique between February 2014 and September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 18 males and 20 females, the age ranged from 7 to 34 years, with an average of 14.8 years. All patients presented with bilateral knee varus deformity. The preoperative varus angles was (15.2±4.2)°, and knee society score (KSS) was 61.8±7.2. Nine of these patients underwent tibia and fibula osteotomy, 29 cases underwent tibia and fibula osteotomy and bone lengthening at the same time. Full-length bearing position X-ray films of bilateral lower limbs were taken to measure the bilateral varus angles, analyze the healing index, and record the occurrence of complications. KSS score was used to evaluate the improvement of knee joint function before and after operation. Results All 38 cases were followed up 9-65 months, with an average of 26.3 months. Needle tract infection occurred in 4 cases and needle tract loosening occurred in 2 cases after operation, which were improved after symptomatic treatment such as dressing change, Kirschner wire change, and oral antibiotics, and no neurovascular injury occurred in all patients. The external fixator was worn for 3-11 months after operation, with an average of 7.6 months, and the healing index was 43-59 d/cm, with an average of 50.3 d/cm. At last follow-up, the leg was 3-10 cm longer, with an average of 5.5 cm. The varus angles was (1.5±0.2)° and the KSS score was 93.7±2.6, which significantly improved when compared with those before operation (P<0.05). ConclusionIlizarov technique is a safe and effective method for the treatment of short limb with genu varus deformity caused by achondroplasia, which can improve the quality of life of patients.